News

April 8, 2016

Because knowledge is power

The NC State AFL-CIO held an Advanced Labor School, the first of its kind in over a decade, March 30 through April 1st in Raleigh to give graduates of Carolina Labor School, our annual, weeklong summer school in Wilmington for union members, a deeper understanding of labor law, workers’ compensation, collective bargaining, FMLA, grievances and arbitration, and duty of fair representation in a so-called “right to work” state.

Organized by our state federation’s General Counsel, Mike Okun, Advanced Labor School brought a small group of 28 union members from affiliates across North Carolina together with experts in the fields of labor, employment, and election law for two-and-a-half days of intensive training and discussion.

“Knowledge is power, and I want to be the most effective union member I can be,” said Charlie Hines with IAMAW lodge 1725 in Charlotte. “Advanced Labor School has given me the tools that I need.”

“I learned a lot from the last labor union school in Wilmington,” said Edwin Gonzalez of USW local 1167 in New Bern who felt like he had to come back for more.

“As a younger member, I don’t have a lot of experience with collective bargaining agreements and arbitration,” said Ashley Howard of IBEW local 379 in Concord. “As I move into a leadership position, this is valuable training for me to have.”

Advanced Labor School “really gives you the nuts and bolts – 95 percent of what you’re going to have to deal with in contracts, workers comp, grievances and arbitration, and it’s great,” said Mark Show of IATSE local 322 in Charlotte.

The NC State AFL-CIO’s education program “has given me an opportunity to expand my knowledge to lift our members up,” said Yvonne Kinston of CWA local 3680 in Hope Mills.

“If you want to represent your membership correctly, fairly, and fully,” said Bob Riggins with UAW local 5285 in Mt. Holly, “then this is the class for you!”

Class photo:

Register now for Carolina Labor School

Enrollment for the 2016 Carolina Labor School, June 26 – July 1 at UNC Wilmington is now open!

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The North Carolina State AFL-CIO is the largest association of local unions and union councils in North Carolina, representing over one-hundred and forty-thousand union members, fighting for good jobs, safe workplaces, workers’ rights, consumer protections, and quality public services on behalf of ALL working people.